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Pfizer vaccine coming soon

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands have been given approval to receive 100 thousand doses of Pfizer vaccine says Dr Yogesh Choudhri Senior Advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Choudhri confirmed this yesterday during the COVID-19 vaccine radio talk back show that the COVAX facility had sent an offer to Solomon Islands that they will be able to supply Pfizer vaccine.

“We also have been given approval to receive 100 thousand doses of Pfizer vaccine however the date for the vaccine shipment is not yet confirmed.

“In principle we have conveyed our approval to get Pfizer vaccine but necessary paper work have to first be submitted to National Medicine and Therapeutic Committee for approval before we start to use the Pfizer vaccines in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Choudhri said at this present time the country is using AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and likelihood of Pfizer vaccine that will be coming in the country.

He adds if there is an offer for Johnson and Johnson coming they will be accepting that because it’s a single dose vaccine and that will reduce the country’s operational cost.

“So, we are opened to that so, let the offer comes we will be talking to our donor and COVAX facility about that,” Choudhri said.

He stated that no vaccines are 100 percent protective. The vaccines have different efficacies. But more important these vaccines have been proven to prevent severe disease Hospitalisation and death and are all proven to be safe.

Pregnant women advised to consult doctors before vaccination

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PREGNANT Women can get vaccinated, but first they must consult doctors to know and understand the vaccine risks and benefits before taking it.

This was echoed by Dr Simon Burggraaf World Health Organisation, Honiara office Immunisation Specialist.

He stressed both Sinopharm and AstraZeneca COVID-19 are good for pregnant mothers.

“For both vaccines we have not seen any negative sign effects in the data for pregnant women. We have not recommended that they can get vaccinated yet but we don’t also recommend that they can’t get vaccinated.

“All we are saying is come see and talk to your doctors, ask about the benefits and the risks are and if you are good with both the risk and benefits then you can take the vaccine.

“Having seen the impacts of delta variant, women should consider the vaccine benefits and weigh up their options,” Burggraaf said.

He adds it is sad to see some situation like in Fiji where the delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading and had impacted the unvaccinated pregnant woman who has died.

“Because of such situations we are concerned for pregnant women for them to come forward to talk with their Doctors about the vaccine and the risks and the benefits. And if they can make decisions they can get vaccinated,” Burggraaf said.

He stated WHO is recommending pregnant women in high risk areas can vaccinate with any vaccine .They have not seen any side effect so far yet that said vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women.

Burggraaf further adds both Pfizer and Moderner COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by number of stringent regulatory authorities for pregnant mother to receive.

He said regarding the 12 – 18 year old adolescent there is no vaccine recommended for them receive in Solomon Islands.

“We are not recommending yet for this younger population to get vaccinated until we have bigger coverage of all the population,” Burggraaf said.

Central Kwara’ae youths complete Inter denomination fellowship

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Youths during the Youths Inter-Denominational Fellowship program at Busurata School in the highlands of Central Kwara’ae… Photo supplied.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A three days Youths Inter-Denominational Fellowship for youths in the Central Kwara’ae constituency was successfully completed at the Busurata School on Sunday.

The theme of the youth fellowship is “Young people are call to serve God” and the program was organized by community leaders as part of their leadership to serve youths in communities within Central Kwara’ae.

According to Malaita News, the fellowship program was officially opened with a parade from old mount Alasa’a Bible College.

Team leader of the program, Mr Paul Kabolo said the purpose of the program is to engage youths in worship programs and teachings that will encourage them to discover themselves in the Lord.

“It is time that we must come together and worship our God.

“We must teach our youths to worship God freely and not dwell on those denominations that will create barriers for us Christians,” Kabolo said.

He said activities during the three days program are mostly on religious messages as well as other important educational talks for the young people.

Kabolo said the program was first of its kind for youths from different denominations within the area to come together and be part of a youth Inter-denominational fellowship.

Youths attended program came from Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC), and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) communities within highlands of Central Kwara’ae.

Huge turnout in this year’s Guadalcanal Second Appointed Day celebration

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

In Marau

The 37th Guadalcanal Second Appointed Day celebration at Marau in East Guadalcanal draw a huge turnout of people around Guadalcanal as well as visitors from Honiara and sister provinces to witness one of the biggest Guadalcanal Day celebrations.

Manikalaku substation where the four-day long event is held attracts around 2000 people coming together to witness and take part in the events.

Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade said he was happy to see people in the Tasimauri region come out in great numbers to be part of the event.

Choviri dancers entertaining the crowd yesterday

This is something that most of these people did not have the privilege to witness over the past years, according to GPG. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, his spouse and the National Government delegation also arrived in Marau to honor the celebrations.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare upon arrival yesterday was escorted to the shores of beautiful Marau Sound by Deputy premier Lazarus Rina

Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister paid a visit to the failed Marau mini hospital and met with a team of the province’s health workers as well as greet and chat with the sick.

The prime minister took a walk in the mini hospital and was briefed by the Nurse in charge of the current status and the work that health workers are carrying out at the mini hospital.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare greets and chat with the sick inside the Marau mini hospital

He was then shown the area earmarked for the new Guadalcanal township project at Marau by a team from the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.

Guadalcanal Deputy Premier Lazarus Rina said this year’s theme, “Inclusiveness and Sustainability: Harnessing Opportunities through Township, Culture, and Tourism Development” means that no one is left out.

Traditional king and queen show

“…but for us to enhance our opportunities on the township we will be having, as well as culture and tourism development,” Mr Rina said.

Prime Minister Sogavare also hosted a dinner at Tavanipupu Private Island Resort.

Black Wine Band, Sharzy and 2-Four-1 bands are also here to spice up the programme with entertainment.

No mass SINU termination as claimed: Tanangada

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Lanelle Tanangada former Minister for MEHRD

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of Education and Human Resources, Lanelle Tanangada has denied any mass termination of Solomon Islands National University staff.

Tanangada stated this in response to a question asked by Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale in Parliament yesterday.

About 123 academic staff and 107 support services staff are affected by the exercise.

This include 34 in Faculty of Education and Humanities, 29 in Faculty of Science and Technology, 17 in Faculty of Business and Tourism, 18 in Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science is 17 and Distant Flexible Learning is eight.

About 70 percent of these staffs are former staffs of the then Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE).

Almost 90 percent of them have a basic degree in teaching streams while large numbers in the TVET areas have only certificates.

The administrative departments were dominated by staff with diplomas and certificates.

She said there is no mass termination at SINU as claimed by media.

“What I understand based on advice being given by SINU management is notices have been issued to staffs whose contracts have ended and a recruitment exercise has been conducted to fill in the positions,” Tanangada explained.

“This is a normal university activity that administration conducts at the expiry of contracts of staff,” she added,

Furthermore, Tanangada explained that at the inception of SINU in 2013, it adopted a recruitment policy that required all staff recruited by SINU to be on a three-year contract.

She said previously staff were on continuing appointment, meaning it has an open-ended time frame.

Moreover, Tanangada said as SINU Council resolution dated June 22, 2015, all positions must be advertised in the open market before the contracts expired.

She said the rationale was to recruit staff that meet SINU minimum qualifications requirement known as MQR to teach at the university and upgrade to a level and quality of the programme that is taught at the university.

“Similarly positions in administrations and logistics support services at SINU are also advertised as to well-educated and competent persons.

“Up until now and owning to a variety of reasons such as allowing for a period of transitions, the recruitment policy was never previously adhered to and comply with,” she said.

Tanangada said following a period over eight years now as per SINU Council resolution, dated March 29, 2021, the management has now considered it most appropriate to execute the recruitment policy smoothly and seamlessly for purposes of upgrading the quality of the programmes offered at SINU and attracting competent administrative support staffs.

Tanangada said interviewing of applicants are currently ongoing and expect all positions in academic and non-academic to be filled at the start of second semester on August 8.

Parliament has adjourned for September 13, 2021.

Sisiolo clarifies delay in appointing new AG

Written by
Press Release
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PS of the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Nego Sisiolo

CLAIMS in the Island Sun Newspaper on July 29 assuming the Government is politically delaying the appointment of the new Auditor General is misleading.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Nego Sisiolo explained that the endorsed candidate is the most suitable and highly qualified person for the position and relevant Ministries are seeking additional funding to meet the incoming Auditor General’s salary and other remunerations.

“The need for a remunerations additional budget came about because the endorsed applicant negotiated with SIG-OAG, MPS, MoFT and OPMC a counter package up to a level that commensurate his qualifications, experience and skills,” Sisiolo said.

He said the SIG parties deliberated on the candidate’s counter offer in light of the following factors:

  • The position of the Auditor General is a highly technical profession that has rigorous qualification criteria on its own. Hence, the profession can be equated to professionals in the legal and medical sectors;
  • The endorsed candidate has a wealth of experience in this field and a qualified local chartered public accountant;
  • The endorsed candidate is the only applicant that applied for the post and therefore SIG as the employer do not want to drop him;
  • The endorsed candidate may lose its personal business activities/interest once appointed to the said post.

Consequently, the SIG parties decided to take-on the counter offer by the candidate by collaborating to locate payroll savings that can be reallocated for the AG emolument, which has now been identified.

In the process, the Ministry of Public Service also collaborated with the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to provide a Business Case (BC) as justification for supplementation to existing terms and condition. The Business Case is essentially to use to brief the Prime Minister who has power to decide on the terms and conditions for constitutional offices.    

On Tues 27 July 2021, the Deputy Auditor General (DAG) briefed the acting Secretary to Cabinet on the business case that provides the rationale for the supplementation to existing terms and conditions.

It is expected that the Secretary to Cabinet will advise the Prime Minister for his decision soon.

Subject to the PM’s decision on the supplementation requested, the next immediate course of action will be to collaborate with OPMC to draw-up a service contract for signing before the Governor General appoints the endorsed candidate. 

“I therefore would like to clarify that from SIG-MPS perspective, the delay is nothing to do with politics,” Sisiolo said.

“On the contrary, the delay is to do with time needed for the Ministry of Public Service to negotiate and collaborate with other SIG ministries and offices to build a good case for government’s consideration and secure the supplementation budget to meet the counter-offer package negotiated and requested by the endorsed applicant.” 

PM cautions journalists of ‘yellow journalism’

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Press Release
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the media that the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.2) Regulations 2021 has provisions relating to Yellow Journalism. 

Speaking in Parliament on the motion to extend the State of Public Emergency by a further four months in Parliament today (29th July), Prime Minister Sogavare said, the rationale for having this provision is to ensure that individuals or the media do not spread rumors or misinformation that may cause disturbances that may divert much needed resources to deal with these disturbances.

“I respect our freedom to express ourselves but I must say that I am extremely disappointed in how some individuals and mainstream media have continued to disseminate rumors and misinformation to our people,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.

He brought to the fore, recent media reports that were published in the past few days are pathetic and disappointing, especially since the publications are mere rumors, misinformation and just outright lies.

“The Government has been very tolerant of these malicious lies and rumors published in the media. We have demonstrated restraint but I must say our patience and restraint is surely tested with this yellow journalism,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.

Press, he adds, though not formally recognised as an established part of the formal political system, does play the role of the watchdog over the formally established three estates of the state- judiciary, legislature and executive.

Prime Minister Sogavare reemphasized, the role of the watchdog must be based on the press providing verified and reliable information to the public.

He said the press is accorded the title of ‘Fourth Estate’ because of the confidence and trust that the public has in the press as the watchdog.

Quoting Sir, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Prime Minister said, “Freedom of the press is essential to the preservation of a democracy; but there is a difference between freedom and license. Editorialists who tell downright lies in order to advance their own agendas do more to discredit the press than all the censors in the world.” 

Prime Minister Sogavare further quoted Arthur Hays Sulzberger, the publisher of the New York Times from 1935 to 1961 saying, “Perhaps we ought to ask ourselves just what freedom of the press really is. Whose freedom is it? Does it merely guarantee the right of the publisher to do and say whatever he wishes, limited only by the laws of libel, public order and decency…?

“Is it only a special license to those who manage the units of the press? The answer, of course, is No. Freedom of the press — or, to be more precise, the benefit of freedom of the press belongs to everyone — to the citizen as well as the publisher,” he said.

“The publisher is not granted the privilege of independence simply to provide him with a more favored position in the community than is accorded to other citizens.

“He enjoys an explicitly defined independence because it is the only condition under which he can fulfil his role, which is to inform fully, fairly and comprehensively.

“The crux is not the publisher’s ‘freedom to print’; it is rather the citizens’ right ‘to know’,” Sogavare added.

Yellow Journalism refers to reporting rumors and false information often using eye-catching headlines merely for increased sales. 

East Mala road accusations are groundless: Maelanga

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Press Release
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Accusations implicating the Deputy Prime Minister and East Malaita Member of Parliament Manasseh Maelanga for misusing East Road maintenance funds are groundless and were mere attempts to discredit his leadership by disgruntled rivals.

Mr Maelanga in a statement said he is aware of those ignorant individuals that failed to appreciate the road expansion projects into the Highlands of his constituency that now relieved the previous transportation burden to his people.

Never before in the history of East Malaita constituency has any new road been built and Maelanga said his ultimate aim is to make sure new roads are built with any possible project funding that benefits the remote highlands communities.

On accusations that he misused road maintenance funds of $4.424 million without results, Maelanga said those claims were fabricated only to discredit his efforts to build new roads in his constituency by ignorant rivals.

He urged the claimants to prove their accusations with evidence that he misused funds and to stop spreading lies to influence public perception.

Maelanga said the East Malaita road is approximately more than 40 kilometres that cuts through the island from the West to East running through valleys and mountains that cannot be properly maintained with a few million dollars.

“Those accusers need to gather complete information on the cost of different components on road works from engineers and other qualified authorities to understand how much it cost to build new roads or maintain existing ones. They just don’t go to Facebook and express their jealousy without accurate information,” he said.

On accusations implicating that he influenced awarding of contracts, Maelanga said all due tender processes have been applied and it is none of his business to tell the Government Central Tender Board (CTB) to award contracts to preferred companies.

“To assume that I did that is simply ridiculous,” he said.

Maelanga explained that to fix a certain section of a road, for example from Dala to Atori and from Nafinua to Kwaibaita with $4.424 million is insufficient.

“It will only meet fuel, labour and machinery costs plus perhaps re-gravelling without proper drainage and bridge repairs,” he said.

“This will result in roads not lasting more than six months given the high rainfall level in that region,” he added.

Maelanga said the Facebook commentators appear to be dreaming from their comfort zones trying to score points and linking the East Malaita road with the current MARA Government’s standoff with the DCGA Government.

“I invited these so-called Facebook commentators to visit the East Malaita Constituency to see and appreciate the challenges that affected the East Malaita road network rather than barking unnecessarily in the media,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister encouraged his opponents to report any allegations to police and other relevant authorities for investigation rather than orchestrating unfounded claims.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

ACOM supports covid-19 vaccine

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Press Release
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Archbishop taking his first COVID-19 vaccine dose. Photo Credit -

The Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) has come out to voice its support for the covid-19 vaccine.

In a statement yesterday, the ACOM said it believes that the vaccines are an answer to the prayers of humankind for ways to eliminate the covid-19 pandemic.

The Church adds that since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been supportive of the government’s ambition to protect Solomon Islands against covid-19.

“The Anglican Church of Melanesia has always stood alongside the government’s view and policy on Covid 19 pandemic.

“Since the Covid 19 became a global pandemic, the Anglican Church like many other sister churches sent messages to every Anglican in dioceses, parishes and districts to pray for the nation.

“The Church recognises the fact that Covid 19 has been here and that our islands and people are vulnerable.

“The Church through its canons also recognises three strands of healing, so long as they are done in manners along with the church dogmas and procedures.

“One of the strands is through Medical Science for which various vaccinations had been successfully explored and developed.

“It is believes that successful covid 19 vaccinations achieved in fact were results of prayers of the churches worldwide.

“The vaccinations are God-powered and God-given, hence a gift that enables protection against covid 19 and its variants.

“In the eyes of many, including the Church, covid 19 is a medical infliction needing medical attention as a remedy.

“Currently the vaccinations available could be the best remedy that we have so far.

“God will certainly inspire scientific people around the world to provide better medication against Covid 19 as we journey into the future.

“The negatives that we hear are unverified and should not be the causes of fear and anxieties.

“If today you think you are protected by your faith, do so through works.

“That work is through vaccination substantiating your faith. In this perspective Anglican Church of Melanesia strongly urge you to take your vaccination today.

“The Church prays you never regret taking the vaccination, but the contrary may happen if you don’t.

“Behind all the research done in finding solutions to the Covid 19 and its variants, God is present so we will overcome it.

“That is the display of our faith.”

ACOM is the second mainstream church to come out in the media announcing its support for the vaccine. Last week the Seventh Day Adventist church, responding to this paper’s enquiries, voiced its pro-vaccine stand. This was in response to rumours that few pastors were advising their congregation against being vaccinated.

Police reminded on HCC saga

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A concerned Honiara Resident has accused police investigators of playing delay tactics in the investigation of Honiara City Council issues.

Pita Hardy told this paper yesterday that HCC issues regarding audit report, fire extinguisher and so on, was reported last year to the police for investigation, and even the Ministry of Home Affairs also forward the audit report to the police sometimes last year.

He said there should not be any excuse, as all the reports police need in their investigation were submitted to them, they should read and follow information inside the reports to get additional documents they need.

“Honiara is not New York City; this is Honiara where you just step out from your office doors and get additional information from.

“Police investigators please do your job professionally, so that the people you are serving have the trust and confidence in you.” Hardy said.

Police Commissioner, Mostyn Mangau recently said they were still collecting evidences on the Honiara City Council (HCC) saga before they can constitute any charges.

He also confirmed that the audit report involving the HCC saga is before their attention and investigators are collecting evidences in terms of court proceedings and investigations.

Hardy said while the public are trying to understand the work of the investigators the continuous delay is not accepted on such cases.

Honiara City council has been under the spotlight since mid last year when the former chairman of finance Willie Billy Abae made a call to investigate the unaccounted revenue collected for sales of Fire Extinguishers and also the audit report and ‘the vehicle’.

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